Manually propelled craft



Jan. 13, 1942. M. BETHEL 2,269,575

MANUALLY PROPELLED CRAFT Filed July 27, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 M fieZIzeZ IN V EN TOR.

A TTORNEYS.

Jan. 13, 1942 M. BETHEL MANUALLY PROPELLED CRAFT Filed July 27, 1940 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 7){. .Betkel INVENTOR.

A TTORNEYS.

Patented Jan. 13, 1942 UNlTED STATES PATENT orric MAN UALLY PROPELLED CRAFT Maywood Bethel, Hext, Tex.

Application July 27, 1940, Serial No. 347,985 I 2 Claims. (01. 115-422) This invention relates to a manually propelled craft, designed for supporting the operator in an extended face down or swimming position, thepropelling means being constructed so that the craft may be conveniently operated by the user while in such position.

An important object of the invention is to provide a craft of this character which may be rapidly moved through the water, thereby providing a craft which may be effectively used in rescuing persons in danger of drowning.

A further object of the invention is to provide a craft which may be controlled by the feet and head of the user, thereby leaving the users hands and arms free to assist drowning persons.

Another object of the invention is to provide a craft embodying a pair of pivoted pontoons which may be readily and easily swung inwardly, providing a relatively small and compact article, to facilitate transporting and storing.

With the foregoing and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein described, may be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 is a plan view of a craft, constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is a longitudinal sectional view taken on line 2-2 of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Referring to the drawings in detail, the craft embodies a pair of pontoons 5 that are preferably cylindrical in formation, the ends thereof being closed by the cone-shaped end members 6. Extending along the longitudinal edge of each pontoon, is a bar I formed with a plurality of openings disposed in spaced relation with respect to each other, throughout the length of the bars, as clearly shown by Figure l of the drawings.

These pontoons 5 are held in spaced relation with respect to each other, by means of the bars 8, which are of widths, to provide a comfortable support for the body of the user of the craft.

As shown, the bars 8 are arranged in spaced relation with respect to each other, and are provided at their ends with hinges 9, the hinges being formed with openings to receive the bolts III that pass through openings of the bars 1. Thus it will i be seen that by adjusting the hinges longitudinally ofv thebars 'I, the bars8, which provide the support for the person operating the craft, may be properly adjusted forthe convenience of the operator. p

Stops H are secured to the upper surfaces of the 'bars 8, and extend from the ends of the bars 8, overlying the bars I, to prevent the pontoons from swinging upwardly but at the same time permitting the pontoons to swing downwardly under the bars 8, when it is desired to fold or collapse the craft for convenience in storing or transportation.

Secured to the bars 8, at points intermediate the ends thereof, is a supporting member I2 which has its rear end curved downwardly, where it provides a support for the gear housing l3 which is provided with a bearing in which the crank shaft I4 operates, the crank shaft being supplied with pedals I5, at the ends thereof.

A gear I6 is secured to the crank shaft I4, and meshes with the pinion 11 secured to one end of the propeller shaft I8 that is also mounted in bearings supported by the gear housing I3.

The propeller shaft I8 extends forwardly and operates in the bearings I9 and 20, the bearing I9 being supported by the arm 2! that hangs from the supporting member I2.

The bearing 20 is supported at the lower end of the hanger 22 and is in the form of a housing that houses the forward end of the propeller shaft I8, and the rear end of the shaft 23, the shafts I8 and 23 being connected by a conventional form of universal joint 24. The propeller is indicated by the reference character 25 and has its blades pitched in such a way as to cause the craft to be moved forwardly, when the propeller shaft I8 is operated in a predetermined direction, or in a direction caused by the natural operation of the crank shaft I 4, by the person using the craft.

Extending forwardly from the hanger 22 is an arm 26 that has a bearing 21 at its forward end, through which the rod 28 extends, the rod 28 having its lower end connected with the shaft 23. The upper end of the rod 28 extends forwardly where it provides a support for the chin rest 29 which is adjustable along the forwardly extended upper end of the rod 28, by means of the sleeve 3|] and set screw 3|. Extending forwardly from the front bar 8, is a curved member 32 formed with teeth in the upper edge thereof. This member 32 is disposed directly under the forwardly extended upper end of the rod 28, and cooperates with the lug 33 which is secured to the under surface of the forwardly extended end of the rod 28, to the end that as the lug 33 moves within the recesses between the teeth, the rod 28 will be held in its positions of adjustment, against accidental displacement.

It will thus be seen, that by moving the forwardly extended upper end of the rod 28, the shaft 23 carrying the propeller 25, may be moved laterally to guide the craft, and that the operator by merely moving his head to the right or left, may guide the craft.

Extending upwardly from the forward bar 8,

are shoulder braces 34, against which the shoulders of the operator rest when in use.

From the foregoing it will be seen that dueto the construction shown and described, a person lying face down in a swimming position, on the bars 8, may be operating his feet andlegs to rotate the crank shaft, cause the propeller shaft 18 and shaft 23 to be rotated, rotating the'propeller 25, to propel thelcrafti Should it be desired, the person usingthe craft may use the bars 8 'as a seat, and operate the pedals While in a sitting position. The rod 28 may be adjusted to a predetermined position to guide the craft.

It will also be noted that a person lying face down on the bars 8, may operate the craft by his feet and head, leaving his arms free to assist persons in danger of drowning.

What is claimed is:

1. A craft comprising a body portion embodying pontoons, bars extending longitudinally of the pontoons and having openings arranged in spaced relation with respect to each other throughout the lengths of the bars, spacing bars arranged between the pontoons, hinges at the ends of the spacing bars, boltsextending through the hinges and openings of said bars, adjustably securing the hinges to the pontoons, a propeller at one end of the body portion, and manually controlled means for operating the propeller.

2. A craft comprising a pair of cylindrical pontoons, cone-shaped closures closing the ends of the pontoons, spaced bars, hinged members connected with the bars and adjustably connecting the bars to the pontoons, a propeller shaft, a shaft carrying a propeller, a universal joint connecting the shafts, a shaft connected with the shaft carrying the propeller and a chin rest mounted on the latter shaft, adapted to provide a rest for the chin of the person lying on the craft operating the craft.

MAYWOOD BETHEL. 

